Palletways member TAS Transport has ceased trading and been placed into administration, motortransport.co.uk can reveal.

The haulier, based near Heathrow airport, also offered airfreight and international cargo services from its base at Bilton Way in Hayes, Middlesex.

TAS Transport, which briefly left Palletways for Palletline in 2011 before returning, was accorded a Palletways Platinum award in 2018, a status reserved for the best performing members within the membership.

However, in a note to depot principals seen by motortransport.co.uk, Barry Byers, the network development manager at Palletways, confirmed that TAS Transport had ceased trading on 1 March and entered administration.

“Both Surrey Pallets D118 and Palletways London D45 are now servicing the area formerly covered by TAS Transport, D158.

“In these circumstances the depots now servicing the vacated area have to clear the residue freight which is on course and we expect normal high service levels and minimal disruption in this case,” Byers said in the briefing note.

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According to its abbreviated accounts for the year to 31 March 2018, TAS Transport employed 42 people. Its directors are Terence Stevens and Andrew Fellows.

The haulier holds multiple O-licences in the London region, but also had an operating centre in Stoke-on-Trent, and was authorised to run up to 52 vehicles and around 20 trailers.

A Palletways spokesman said: “We can confirm that TAS Transport has gone into administration. As a result, the company will no longer serve as a member of the Palletways network. We are unable to comment on the financial aspects of the situation as this is commercially confidential.

“To maintain a 100% continuation of our service, Palletways has made alternative arrangements for all future collections and deliveries. We are committed to ensuring that customers receive the same first-class level of service that they have come to expect from the Palletways network.

"TAS Transport has provided excellent service in their time with Palletways and we would like to thank them for their support and commitment.”

Duncan Adams

Its demise came as Scottish Palletways member Duncan Adams ceased operation and was believed to have entered administration today (6 March).

Duncan Adams

Byers said of Duncan Adams “this situation was being closely managed and monitored [and] the contingency plan has been fully deployed”.

“To ensure we had no break in service provision Caledonian D25, Pollocks D193 and Palletways Glasgow D52 cleared the hub last night and are now delivering into the territory formerly covered by D111.

“The Palletways team will be clearing any residue freight from the Duncan Adams premises today and will be processing that freight as quickly as possible as we recover that freight to providing normal services in the coming days,” he added.